AFLPA awaits Victorian Supreme Court Decision

30 Aug 2007 - Jason Murnane

AFLPA Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale said that the association was disappointed that Channel 7 had persisted with their opposition to the injunction but was looking forward to receiving Justice Hargrave's decision on this important matter.

"Let's not forget that Channel 7 is seeking to broadcast confidential private medical information obtained in dubious circumstances which are now the subject of a police investigation," said Gale.

"We have sought to resolve the matter through legal and non-legal avenues but at this stage Channel 7 are continuing to seek to publish information which we believe undermines the AFL illicit drugs policy and betrays the trust of all AFL players."

"There has been no deviation from this path by Channel 7 and no apology forthcoming to the playing group," revealed Gale.

"As such we fully expect that the personal protests of AFL players against Channel 7 will continue into this weekend's round of AFL matches."

"The AFLPA has been heartened by the response of players across the country in standing up against what they consider to be disgraceful conduct." 

"We will continue to support such protests in any way we can."

The AFLPA notes that the Victorian Premier, Police Commissioner and Medical Services Commissioner have all publicly condemned the conduct of Channel 7.

"We do not back away from the fact that illicit drug use is a major societal issue and we acknowledge that AFL is not immune from this issue.  That's why we're doing something about it," concluded Gale.